After leading the Toreros to three PFL conference co-championships over the past six years, USD's Ron Caragher accepted the head football coaching position at San Jose State University. Gene Bleymaier, the Spartans' director of athletics made the announcement at a 2:00 p.m. press conference this afternoon on the campus of San Jose State University in San Jose, California.

Caragher heads to San Jose State after compiling a 44-22 win-loss record with the Toreros and co-PFL championships in 2007, 2011 and 2012. Twice, in 2007 and 2011, he was a nominee for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award established by The Sports Network to recognize the top head coach in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). After his third 9-2 win-loss season record at USD, he was named the 2011 Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year.

"We're very proud of Ron, he was a great representative of our university and football program," said Ky Snyder, USD Executive Director of Athletics. "He's had great success here and we wish he and his family all the best. They have been outstanding stewards of our program here during their six-year tenure. But with that, we now turn the page and go find the next leader of Torero football."

The new Spartans' coach agreed to a five-year contract with San Jose State. He replaces Mike MacIntyre who accepted the University of Colorado head football coaching position on December 10.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity to lead the San Jose State football program. Having grown up in the San Jose area, I understand the rich tradition of Spartan Football - it's lineage of great coaches, terrific teams, and outstanding players," said Caragher in a SJSU press statement. "I very much look forward to getting to know the young men in the program and building upon the success of this most recent and outstanding 2012 season. San Jose State football is on the rise with its top-25 ranking. I am excited about our entrance into the Mountain West Conference and look forward to leading the charge."

San Jose State is Caragher's fourth university in a coaching career that includes six bowl appearances between 1994 and 2006. The 1990 UCLA graduate got his first taste of college coaching as a graduate assistant at his alma mater in 1994. He was promoted to a full-time assistant's position in 1996. In seven seasons with the Bruins, he coached wide receivers, punters and kickers.

Before accepting the University of San Diego head coaching position, Caragher worked four years as the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Kentucky. In 2006, the Wildcats posted an 8-5 record, was invited to a bowl game for the first time in seven years and concluded the season with a Music City Bowl victory - Kentucky's first bowl win since 1984.

"Ron Caragher stood out in a very strong field of applicants that see our recent success and achievements as a solid foundation for more great things to come from Spartan football in the near future," says Bleymaier. "During his six years as a head coach, Ron clearly demonstrated he is a proven winner. He is a man of integrity and a leader who clearly understands what it takes for our program to take the next positive steps on the field, in the classroom and in the community."

Born in nearby Redwood City, Calif., the 45-year old Caragher grew up in San Jose and nearby Morgan Hill, and graduated from San Jose's Bellarmine Prep. A college quarterback, Caragher played on the 1985 through 1989 UCLA teams that won four consecutive bowl games including the 1986 Rose Bowl. He and his wife, Wendy, have three sons - Josh, Ryan and Scott.

Ron Caragher Year-by-Year
Year, School, Record, Notes
2012, University of San Diego, 8-3, PFL co-champion
2011, University of San Diego, 9-2, PFL co-champion
2010, University of San Diego, 5-6
2009, University of San Diego, 4-7
2008, University of San Diego, 9-2
2007, University of San Diego, 9-2, PFL co-champion